Healthcare Social Workers Salary in Kentucky

Healthcare social workers in Kentucky earn the most in Louisville (average $71,030 a year) and the least in Owensboro ($61,970), across the 6 Kentucky metro areas we cover. Statewide, BLS puts the healthcare social workers average at $64,960 and the median at $64,080 for 1,980 workers. The U.S. average for this job is $71,790.

Healthcare Social Workers average salary by city in Kentucky

Louisville$71,030
Paducah$70,100
Bowling Green$63,980
Lexington$62,420
Elizabethtown$62,390
Owensboro$61,970

Pay, take-home pay and cost of living

City	Average	Median	25th pct.	Take-home*	Cost of living
Louisville	$71,030	$68,970	$59,540	$54,868	93
Paducah	$70,100	$78,660	$53,920	$54,407	86
Bowling Green	$63,980	$61,610	$56,230	$50,187	90
Lexington	$62,420	$59,340	$45,760	$48,551	93
Elizabethtown	$62,390	$61,450	$48,030	$49,028	91
Owensboro	$61,970	$56,560	$47,530	$48,818	89

*Average salary after federal and state taxes for a single filer; includes Louisville's local income tax (2.2%). Cost of living: BEA price parity, U.S. = 100.

Healthcare Social Workers salary in other states

Healthcare Social Workers salary by city and state

More about pay in Kentucky

Sources and how to read this page

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 21-1022.
U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.

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